Runs for about 25 minutes then just dies while driving. Starts back after sits for about an hr and does same thing.
2010 Ford Explorer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
95 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
14 reportsOil leak in both valve gasket covers oil on the crossmember it started slow then it was traced by Ford to the gaskets(fire hazard) 120 k on odometer
Driving 65 mph on I95 and it just shut off. The yellow wrench on dash came on. I somehow was able to Pull over to the shoulder without being killed. I cranked once then tried it again and it started. Drove all the way home and it’s running fine now. This is a common problem and Ford should be contacting me to warn me and fi…
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Driving 65 mph on I95 and it just shut off. The yellow wrench on dash came on. I somehow was able to Pull over to the shoulder without being killed. I cranked once then tried it again and it started. Drove all the way home and it’s running fine now. This is a common problem and Ford should be contacting me to warn me and fix it. By the way I had a baby in the car. Thanks Ford for the warning.
While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership…
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While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership to check the transmission. I called the dealership and they advised me to drive it over. They told me it was "probably the transmission as Explorers are notarious for transmission issues." The dealership inspected the Explorer and confirmed that it was a known transmission issue involving codes P0798 and P098. The dealership advised that there were MULTIPLE pressure code errors [that never did a warning] and that the transmission required replacement. I asked if it was covered under warranty and the dealership advised me that Ford had no issued a recall yet, even though it was a known and serious transmission issue. The dealership recommended that I call Ford Customer Care at 1-800-392-3673 and request that Ford cover the replacement. I called Ford Customer Care and spoke with Bruno who advised me that it was indeed a known issue and that I "was not the only one with this issue" and that "there will be a recall soon so [I] can get reimbursed." Bruno was to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. It has been almost 2 weeks and there has been no response from Ford. This is a well known issue that Ford knows of. There has been recalls of other Explorers for the same problem but my VIN is not included for some reason. If you go online, there are thousands of complaints. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I have the telephone recordings of Ford but I am unable to upload them here.
AUGUST 16, 2018 I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SO FAST. THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. MY DAUGHTER HAD UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT SINCE WE WERE ALL BUT STOPPED AND …
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AUGUST 16, 2018 I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SO FAST. THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. MY DAUGHTER HAD UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT SINCE WE WERE ALL BUT STOPPED AND HIT HER HEAD ON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND HIT THE REAR END OF A LARGE YUKON TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. THE YUKON THEN WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND BROAD SIDED AN OLDER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED AT A GAS PUMP. THIS WAS ALL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE SIDE PARKING LOT OF A STORE. MY VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO ALMOST STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH BRAKES NOT RESPONDING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,999.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE WAS P0106 AND P0401. I DISCOVERED PLASTIC TUBING FAILED BY BREAKING (DISINTEGRATING REALLY), ALL IN THE VICINITY OF A PART THAT I SUSPECT CONTROLS THOSE FUNCTIONS. THE PART IS A HARNESS WITH 4 OF THESE PLASTIC TUBES THAT CONNECT TO VARIOUS PLACES. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DISINTEGRATING IN…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE WAS P0106 AND P0401. I DISCOVERED PLASTIC TUBING FAILED BY BREAKING (DISINTEGRATING REALLY), ALL IN THE VICINITY OF A PART THAT I SUSPECT CONTROLS THOSE FUNCTIONS. THE PART IS A HARNESS WITH 4 OF THESE PLASTIC TUBES THAT CONNECT TO VARIOUS PLACES. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DISINTEGRATING INDICATES THE WRONG MATERIALS ARE USED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. I HAVE SAMPLES OF THE TUBING THAT SURVIVED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND CAUSED THREE OTHER VEHICLES TO BE STRUCK BY THE PULLEY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND CAUSED THREE OTHER VEHICLES TO BE STRUCK BY THE PULLEY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. NOT ONLY DID IT FLY OFF IN TRAFFIC, IT RENDERED HIM WITHOUT BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 03/01/17.*JB
EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR AND BUILD THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Official recalls
110V161000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Apr 20, 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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